Symmetry-induced giant vortex state in a superconducting film with a Penrose array of magnetic pinning centers

TL;DR

This study visualizes flux distribution in a superconducting film with a Penrose array of magnetic pinning centers, revealing stable vortex configurations and giant vortex states induced by symmetry and magnetic field variations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the formation of giant vortex states in a superconducting film with a Penrose array, highlighting the role of symmetry and magnetic field in vortex pattern formation.

Findings

Stable vortex configurations at specific magnetic fields.

Formation of ring-like vortex structures (

Vortex corrals

Abstract

A direct visualization of the flux distribution in a Pb film covering a five-fold Penrose array of Co dots is obtained by mapping the local field distribution with a scanning Hall probe microscope. We demonstrate that stable vortex configurations can be found for fields H~0.8H_1, H_1 and 1.6H_1, where H_1 corresponds to one flux quantum per pinning site. The vortex pattern at 0.8H_1 corresponds to one vacancy in one of the vertices of the thin tiles whereas at 1.6H_1 the vortex structure can be associated with one interstitial vortex inside each thick tile. Strikingly, for H=1.6H_1 interstitial and pinned vortices arrange themselves in ring-like structures ("vortex corrals") which favor the formation of a giant vortex state at their center.